Former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes that this newly adopted aggressive approach from the Indian openers has made Rohit Sharma’s side even more an overwhelming favorites to win the World Cup 2023 than they already were.
In October-November later this year, India will host the World Cup 2023, and the Men In Blue will hope to repeat the historic feat from the 2011 World Cup, when MS Dhoni’s side became the first team to win an ODI World Cup at home. After that, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019, too continued on that trend, and India would want the same to happen this year.
Their new brand of attacking cricket at the top of the order has been a change this year than in the past many many years. In fact, ever since Virender Sehwag, India never had an opener batting in such an aggressive fashion as Rohit and Gill have done this year.
In 6 ODIs this year so far – 3 vs New Zealand and 3 vs Sri Lanka – Rohit and Gill together as opening partnership scored 615 runs at an average of 102, but more important has been their strike rate of 110!!
Michael Vaughan reckons these charged-up opening partnerships are a key reason to back India to lift the World Cup 2023.
“India finally committing to playing One day cricket the aggressive way makes them Red hot favourites to win the men’s World Cup this year .. #INDvNZIndia finally committing to playing One day cricket the aggressive way makes them Red hot favourites to win the men’s World Cup this year .. #INDvNZ,” Michael Vaughan tweeted.
Meanwhile, following India’s victor over New Zealand, skipper Rohit Sharma said: “I thought in the last six games we played we did most parts right and that is the key in 50-over games. We were consistent too. WIthout Siraj and Shami I knew we wanted to give chances to people on the bench. Wanted to get Chahal and Umran in the mix. We wanted to see how they react under pressure. I know we had the runs on the board, but I don’t think any score is safe here. We bowled pretty well, stuck to our plans and held the nerve.”
